Examines a selection of innovative search tools that attempt to solve specific problems in searching. Topics include search difficulties, including controlled vocabularies and keyword searching; retrieval issues, including relevancy ranking; document discrimination problems; creating search tools for specific audiences; and interface design,…

Offers four brief descriptions from composition/writing teachers of class activities that work well for them, addressing using a grocery list to help students understand why audience awareness is important; using group work to help students analyze literature; having students define and describe good writing; and helping students with specified…

Describes how an eighth-grade language-arts teacher teaches poetry via performance. Describes how she introduces poetry, performance, and audience. Shows how students (even non-readers and non-achievers) quickly show great eagerness to do poetry with enthusiasm, excitement, and energy; and now perform locally. Includes a poetry portfolio outline…

Describes two projects undertaken with the author's high school English classes in which students chose writing they wished to share with their own community, and then published it, in one case selling their class anthology to selected businesses around town. Describes the increase in enthusiasm for writing and care and professionalism caused by…

Offers guidelines for selecting picture books for library media centers. Topics include artistic media, with examples of titles for each type; elements of design, including color; style; layout; the story itself; quality of paper and binding; intended audience; selecting with specific teachers and students in mind; and recommendations from…

As libraries increasingly look to give their collections a strong digital presence, many of the librarians involved come from traditionally technical services oriented areas: catalogers, systems librarians, web developers, and database specialists. Collaboration between representatives of public services, collection development, and technical…

Through three semesters of teaching the nonfiction essay, an instructor has come to terms with the fact that she has yet to attempt the type of personal essay that she asks her students to write, essays in which personal experiences with death are shared. However, a reminiscence on death through a recounting of her reactions to and understanding…

To bridge the gap between broad philosophical claims about the value of forensics and actual current practices and experiences, the concept of the "total" forensic program offers critical components that are educationally valid with numerous advantages for participants and sponsoring departments. The total approach is defined as the most…

Reports on a study showing how the achievement of bilingual learners can be raised within a classroom context and within the framework of the National Curriculum. Shows how to stimulate a wide variety of language activities, including those concerning different styles and structures, audience awareness, vocabulary, and the exploration of…

This case study of the collaborative design of an earth science World Wide Web page at Pennsylvania State University highlights the role of librarians. Discusses the original Web site and links, planning, the intended audience, and redesign and recommended changes; and considers the potential contributions of librarians. (LRW)

Focuses on three issues involved in successfully preparing a performance program for elementary school students: (1) know the students, the other teachers, and the audience (specifically parents); (2) understand how to select programs that are appropriate; and (3) be aware of your limitations as the teacher. Includes program ideas for elementary…

Outlines a model for distance collaboration between business writing classrooms using network technology. Discusses ways to teach national and international audience awareness, problem solving, and the contextual nature of cases. Discusses goals for distance collaboration, sample assignments, and the pros and cons of network technologies. (SR)

Includes a preface and two articles: "Rhetoric in Action: Roger's Social Studies Classroom" and "Rhetorical Understandings for Social Studies Teachers." Details how one teacher applies rhetorical principles to teaching, so that student learning, enjoyment, and motivation increase. Focuses on the definitions and principles of…

Suggests a classroom newspaper provides an excellent vehicle for teaching writing to students of various ability levels, allows students to direct their writing to a specific audience, and increases motivation (because recognition through publication is very reinforcing). All students, including students with disabilities, can benefit from the…

As digital portfolios become more prevalent in teacher education, the purposes and processes for creating them have become contested. Originally meant to be critical and reflective spaces for learning about multimedia and conceived as contributing to professional growth, research shows that digital portfolios are now increasingly being used to…